Trump flew to Riyadh overnight on Air Force One to become the only American president to make Saudi Arabia, or any majority Muslim country, his first stop overseas.

The President was greeted by King Salman at the airport and said it was ‘a great honour’ to be there before they attended a brief coffee ceremony.

Melania wore a black pantsuit with a golden belt and did not cover her head, consistent with custom for foreign dignitaries visiting Saudi Arabia.

(Picture: AFP)

US President Donald Trump is welcomed by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud as Melania walks behind him (Picture: Getty)

U.S. President Donald Trump, accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, shakes hands with Saudi King Salman (Picture: AP)

The visit hopes to building stronger partnerships to combat terrorism in the region. He is also hoping to move past the controversies engulfing his administration.

White House chief of staff Reince Priebus told reporters on the plane that Trump spent the flight meeting with staff, working on his upcoming speech to the Muslim world and catching up on a little sleep.

The scheduling choice is designed in part to show respect to the region after months of harsh anti-Muslim campaign rhetoric.

He will also travel to Israel, have an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican and attend the Nato summit in Brussels and the G7 meeting in Sicily.

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